A porous plate-shaped filler of the present invention is a plate shape having an aspect ratio of 3 or more, a surface shape is one of a round shape, an oval and a round-corner polygonal shape, and its minimum length is from 0.1 to 50 m. Furthermore, a sectional shape is one of an arch shape, an elliptic shape, and a quadrangular shape in which at least a part of corners is rounded. Consequently, it is possible to obtain the heat insulation film in which the porous plate-shaped fillers 1 are easy to be laminated and the heat insulation effect improves.

A porous plate-shaped filler of the present invention is a plate shape having an aspect ratio of 3 or more, a surface shape is one of a round shape, an oval and a round-corner polygonal shape, and its minimum length is from 0.1 to 50 m. Furthermore, a sectional shape is one of an arch shape, an elliptic shape, and a quadrangular shape in which at least a part of corners is rounded. Consequently, it is possible to obtain the heat insulation film in which the porous plate-shaped fillers 1 are easy to be laminated and the heat insulation effect improves.

Provided is a porous plate-shaped filler that can be used as a material for a heat-insulation film having excellent heat insulation performance. In a porous plate-shaped filler 1 having a plate shape, an aspect ratio is 3 or higher, a minimum length is 0.5 to 50 m, and an overall porosity is 20 to 90%, and the porosity is lower in the circumferential part than in the center part. When this porous plate-shaped filler 1 of the present invention is contained in a heat-insulation film, the infiltration of a matrix into the filler is reduced, and thus the thermal conductivity can be lowered. Therefore, even a thin heat-insulation film can have a greater heat-insulation effect than before.

Provided is a porous plate-shaped filler that can be used as a material for a heat-insulation film having excellent heat insulation performance. In a porous plate-shaped filler 1 having a plate shape, an aspect ratio is 3 or higher, a minimum length is 0.5 to 50 m, and an overall porosity is 20 to 90%, and the porosity is lower in the circumferential part than in the center part. When this porous plate-shaped filler 1 of the present invention is contained in a heat-insulation film, the infiltration of a matrix into the filler is reduced, and thus the thermal conductivity can be lowered. Therefore, even a thin heat-insulation film can have a greater heat-insulation effect than before.

The present disclosure relates to roofing granules, such as colored solar-reflective roofing granules, and to methods for making and their use in roofing products. One aspect of the disclosure provides a collection of colored solar-reflective roofing granules, wherein substantially each roofing granule includes an inner layer of a porous ceramic material, the pore size and material of the inner layer being selected such that the inner layer is substantially reflective of infrared radiation; and disposed about and substantially surrounding the inner layer, an outer layer of a substantially colored ceramic material, the outer layer of substantially colored ceramic material being substantially transmissive to infrared radiation, the collection of colored solar-reflective roofing granules having a L* of no more than 60 and a solar reflectivity of at least 30%.

The present disclosure relates to roofing granules, such as colored solar-reflective roofing granules, and to methods for making and their use in roofing products. One aspect of the disclosure provides a collection of colored solar-reflective roofing granules, wherein substantially each roofing granule includes an inner layer of a porous ceramic material, the pore size and material of the inner layer being selected such that the inner layer is substantially reflective of infrared radiation; and disposed about and substantially surrounding the inner layer, an outer layer of a substantially colored ceramic material, the outer layer of substantially colored ceramic material being substantially transmissive to infrared radiation, the collection of colored solar-reflective roofing granules having a L* of no more than 60 and a solar reflectivity of at least 30%.

A ceramic composite material comprises a ceramic compound, a plurality of shaping particles dispersed in the ceramic compound, and a plurality void spaces dispersed in the ceramic compound. The plurality of shaping particles are contained within the plurality of void spaces, and each of the plurality of void spaces is a closed cell. The plurality of shaping particles also comprise nanostructures have a length to diameter ratio of less than or equal to 10 to 1 and a length of less than or equal to 500 nanometers.

A composite article is comprised of coal dust, as defined herein, and a polymer derived ceramic material that is pyrolyzed in a substantially non-oxidizing atmosphere. For example, the composite article may be made of a mixture of the coal dust and polymer derived ceramic, from particles formed of a mixture of coal dust and polymer derived ceramic or from complex particle composites comprising a plurality of particles formed of a mixture of coal dust and polymer derived ceramic.

A composite article is comprised of coal dust, as defined herein, and a polymer derived ceramic material that is pyrolyzed in a substantially non-oxidizing atmosphere. For example, the composite article may be made of a mixture of the coal dust and polymer derived ceramic, from particles formed of a mixture of coal dust and polymer derived ceramic or from complex particle composites comprising a plurality of particles formed of a mixture of coal dust and polymer derived ceramic.

A ceramic composite material comprises a ceramic compound, a plurality of shaping particles dispersed in the ceramic compound, and a plurality void spaces dispersed in the ceramic compound. The plurality of shaping particles are contained within the plurality of void spaces, and each of the plurality of void spaces is a closed cell. The plurality of shaping particles also comprise nanostructures have a length to diameter ratio of less than or equal to 10 to 1 and a length of less than or equal to 500 nanometers.